Dennis Ray Kuester

A Memorial Service for Dennis Ray Kuester, 75, Lawrence, KS, will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. The family will greet friends from 1:00 ~ 2:00 PM, also at the mortuary. Dennis passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2025, at LMH Health after a lengthy illness, surrounded by family and friends.

Dennis was born September 27, 1950, in Lawrence, KS, the son of Herman Calvin and Paula Maxine (Beaver) Kuester.

He married Patricia R. Galinski on July 21, 1973, in Charlotte, NC. She survives at home.

Other survivors include his daughter, Kelly (Joshua) Durrill, grandchildren, Samuel Ray and Thaddeus Joshua Durrill and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Calvin Kuester, and sister Kathy (Glenn) Kuester Patton.

Dennis was employed by King Radio as a manufacturing engineer and later as a technician supervisor in the Garmin rework facility in Olathe, Kansas. He retired from Garmin in 2016.

Dennis joined the Naval Air Reserve in 1968 and retired in 1994 as an Avionics Technician First Class. He specialized in airborne communications and was a qualified air crewman. During his military career, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award with 5 stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Award, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Medal with star. He also qualified as an expert marksman with both pistol and rifle. He was proud of and loved his service to the Navy and developed lifelong friendships with many of his shipmates.

Dennis was an ordained Deacon and because of his love for all his family, his strong faith, unique presence, and dry sense of humor, he was often called upon to officiate at numerous wedding ceremonies of nieces, nephews, family friends, and even his own daughter.

His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July and always hosted large gatherings and celebrated with a bang! When you heard Dennis declare, “Fire in the hole!” you were about to hear the enormous sound of freedom!

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He shared with Kelly his love for God and Country, family, and the great outdoors. He spent countless hours in his garden, on the water fishing and kayaking, hunting, or just sitting outside letting the world go by in accordance with his motto, “Another crisis successfully ignored.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Dennis’ name to the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society or KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.